Rock Bottom Supermarket Prices As Budget Hits Pubs

opening times Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 136 the Campaign for Real Ale Autumn 2008

ROCK BOTTOM SUPERMARKET PRICES AS BUDGET HITS PUBS

Also inside: London heritage pubs Pubs of the year Hunts cider packs a punch Pub Pieces Hunts food and drink festival Half Pints

Booze on the Ouse, St Ives Beer Festival, Thu 11—Sat 13 Sep 2008 2 Support your local pub - don't give them an excuse to close it! ROCK BOTTOM SUPERMARKET PRICES AS BUDGET HITS PUBS Chancellor Alistair Darling’s 4p a pint duty Each party along the supply chain will increase has hit pub beer prices hard as have wanted to maintain profit margins supermarkets appear to have taken the hit and this explains price rises of up to 10%. and the price differential between pubs Around 30% of the price of a pint goes to and supermarkets continues to widen. the Treasury because beer is liable for VAT at 17.5% as well as duty. For a 4% A survey by Huntingdonshire CAMRA has alcohol pint of beer sold in a pub for shown an average increase of 12p for a £2.45, the government takes 72p, the pint of real ale in local pubs since the brewery’s total costs are 64p and retail budget hike, and in large chains of leased costs are 67p. This leaves a surplus of pubs the average increase found for stan- 42p, some of which is re-invested in pub dard cask bitters was as high as 25p a estates, for example. pint. CAMRA research indicates that 57 pubs And as the government promises to take are closing permanently every month as action on supermarket alcohol pricing, a the price differential between pubs and Huntingdonshire CAMRA survey of local supermarkets widens. Pubs provide a regulated environment for people to enjoy supermarkets in June 2008 has revealed alcohol socially and responsibly. The average prices of as low as between 79p mixed clientele found in the best commu- and 99p a pint for standard British-brewed nity pubs has an uncanny knack of re- lagers, and between 84p and £1.16 a pint straining unruly behaviour and, in conjunc- for standard bitters. tion with the watchful eye of the licensee, makes drinking in the pub a more con- Beer Average Price trolled pursuit than unregulated consump- tion away from licensed premises. Carlsberg 79p More than forty MPs have recently backed Carling 98p an Early Day Motion urging the govern- Fosters 99p ment to introducing a package of meas- ures to tackle deep discounting of alcohol John Smiths 84p sales, introduce compulsory labelling for Tetleys Smooth £1.04 alcoholic drinks and limit point of sale promotions. Boddingtons £1.16 Meanwhile Health Secretary Alan John- Strongbow 89p son has indicated that the government is Guinness £1.45 prepared to confront supermarkets and take mandatory action on alcohol pricing Bottled Real Ale £1.88 and promotions. Average Supermarket price found in Pubs provide a range of facilities that can Huntingdonshire area, per pint be expected to be reflected in pub prices, but many will struggle in the face of super- Although the budget increase was set at markets undercutting pub lager prices by 4p a pint, this is added to the price of beer up to £2.10 a pint. at the brewery gate.

OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 3 ROCK BOTTOM SUPERMARKET PRICES AS BUDGET HITS PUBS Pubs are more than outlets for alcohol. blame and extra costs on to pubs as a They are the cornerstone of communities, reaction to concerns about binge drinking. places of friendship, support and fun. While this yawning chasm exists between Following the Chancellor’s budget speech supermarket and pub prices, CAMRA in March, Mike Benner, Chief Executive of believes that unregulated drinking will CAMRA said, ‘The Chancellor has failed continue and more pubs will bleed cus- to recognise that well-run community pubs tomers and die as cash-strapped custom- are the solution to Britain’s binge drinking ers consign themselves to drinking in front problems. This budget will do nothing to of the TV or on the streets. stop binge drinking, but it will lead to pub closures on a huge scale, widen the gap CAMRA has said that although the beer between supermarket and pub prices and tax hike was intended to curb binge drink- encourage smuggling and cross-border ing, it could have the opposite effect as shopping. It’s a great big nail whacked supermarkets can afford to take the hit ruthlessly into the coffin of the British pub. and their ‘rock-bottom’ prices are fuelling Britain’s binge-drinking culture. CAMRA ‘Pubs are defined as local services yet believes that the government should ban this tax rise alongside other market pres- the use of alcohol as loss leaders by su- sures will accelerate closures to unprece- permarkets instead of continually heaping dented levels. The budget shows a disre- gard for our national drink and for the 15 million people who enjoy it responsibly.’

4 Check out local music events at www.huntscamra.org.uk/gigguide OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 5 A LOOK BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AGO to the Green Man, Leighton Bromswold Charles Wells re- and the Swan at Old Weston. introduced brewing The Watney group became the first to the city of national brewing group to launch a cask Cambridge in porter. Their Hammerton Porter was autumn 1983 after named after an old Watney stout. a gap of eleven Meanwhile Wilsons, the Manchester arm years with the of the Watney group, launched cask Gold opening of their Medal, a new bitter brewed to an original new Ancient Druids gravity of 1042. pub and brewhouse. Cambridge once had over fifty In Norfolk, CAMRA officials met Watneys breweries and in 1983, Ale, the newsletter directors following a number of rural pub of CAMRA Cambridge branch, looked closures. Watneys agreed to look at forward to celebrating the existence of fifty alternative ways of keeping pubs open breweries in the city again as it such as linking them with shops or post announced the opening of the Ancient offices and flagging up poorly performing Druids. In 2008 there are three working pubs to prompt local ‘rally round your breweries in Cambridge, so there are still local’ campaigns. a few to go. Woodfordes brewery at the Spread Eagle Real ale was defined for the first time by in Erpingham, Norfolk was undergoing the Oxford English Dictionary in a 1983 reconstruction work after a fire. Meanwhile supplement, following acceptance of a Woodfordes beers were being produced definition proposed by CAMRA. The by a small brewer in Suffolk and the fire definition reads ‘A name for draught (or was to be the inspiration for Phoenix XXX, bottled) beer brewed from traditional a 1047 og cask beer that would become a ingredients, matured by secondary very popular part of the Woodforde’s fermentation in the container from which it portfolio. is dispensed, and served without the use Boddingtons Bitter came south after the of extraneous carbon dioxide; also called Manchester real ale went on sale for the “cask-conditioned” and “naturally first time in pubs in the Home Counties conditioned” beer’. CAMRA claimed that and railway station bars, where it replaced the definition would be used ‘to establish Ruddles County. our point in cases where breweries try to claim that their filtered or top-pressure dispended or canned beers are “real George and Dragon, Eaton Socon ales”.’ St Neots CAMRA held autumn meetings at the Windmill, Somersham and the George and Dragon at Eaton Socon. There were socials at the Prince of Wales in Hilton and in Southoe at the Bell and Three Horseshoes. There was also a visit 6 Find local pub music and other events www.huntscamra.org.uk/gigs A LOOK BACK IN TIME 10 YEARS AGO County Durham was saved Ten years ago Marstons brewery bought from closure after it was the Old Ferry Boat free house at Holywell, sold to a consortium of which then became tied to the Burton local businessmen who brewers. planned to re-introduce its former Nimmo's brand. Another free house, the Crown in Eaton Four years later the new Socon, became a tied house when it was Castle Eden company purchased by Scottish and Newcastle. were to buy Camerons brewery in Burtonwood brewery in Cheshire was Hartlepool and transfer production there, rescued by a merger deal. A joint venture where it continues in 2008. company was set up between Burtonwood In 1998 there was no reprieve for and the Thomas Hardy brewery in Whitbread’s Cheltenham brewery, which Dorchester. Both brewing plants were to closed on October 1st. operate as contract brewers, although there was a contract to supply St Neots CAMRA ran trips to pubs in the Burtonwood’s 500 pubs. In 2008, Bassingbourn and Abington Pigotts area Burtonwood has survived as Thomas and CAMRA’s Bedford Beer Festival and Hardy’s only brewery, mainly producing there were socials in St Ives at the Royal beer for Scottish and Newcastle. Oak and with North Bedfordshire CAMRA at the Queens Head in Sandy. The branch In the autumn of 1998 committee held open meetings at the Peterborough pub White Hart, St Ives and the Prince of entrepreneur Paul Hook Wales at Hilton. completed the move of Oakham Brewery to the CAMRA and English Heritage jointly former labour exchange in the city’s appointed former British Steel export Westgate with the opening of the Brewery sales manager Geoff Brandwood to work Tap pub and brewery. on the task of gaining listed status for pubs on CAMRA’s National Inventory of The end was nigh for Outstanding Pub Interiors. Vaux as a famous brewing name in the Bedford brewer Charles Wells was North east of England. disposing of around 30 of its 300 pubs, Sunderland-based but received praise from CAMRA for Vaux quit brewing to concentrate on offering tenants a chance to buy their running pubs. There was hope of a pubs to operate them outside of the management buy out of the brewery and a brewery tie. small parcel of pubs. Morrells Oxford brewery was set to close Greene King closed the Woolpack in as vigorous campaigning by CAMRA to Eynesbury following their earlier closures prevent the closure and sale of the city of St Neots pubs the Wheatsheaf and brewing site appeared unlikely to succeed Blue Ball. as the company continued to deny that the brewery was profitable. Whitbread’s Castle Eden brewery in OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 7 HALF PINTS American Bud- Brains of Cardiff weiser group An- have launched a heuser Busch have smooth keg version been taken over In of their SA premium Bev, the Brazilian bitter. SA Smooth owned multi na- has a lower alcohol tional brewer, in a content of 4% abv, $52 billion dollar deal. compared with the 4.2% strength of the famous SA cask In the UK, InBev have launched a lower beer. strength version of Stella Artois at 4% alcohol by volume, following the success London pub company Youngs have of their Becks Vier 4% brand, seen as a announced sales up by 3.2 % in their popular choice for those who prefer an managed houses. easy-drinking lager. Fullers have launched a major Timothy Taylors new poster advertising cam- brewery in Keighley paign for the Organic Honey has celebrated 150 Dew beer in and around un- years in the brewing derground and rail stations. business with parties The government could introduce new li- for shareholders, censing conditions for pubs in a bid to directors and staff. tackle alcohol misuse. A consultation is Enterprise Inns have denied that the beer considering a number of options, including tie is related to the difficulties being faced targeted restrictions for problem pubs, by some pubs. The ‘Fair Pint’ group wish new conditions applied generally, outlaw- to see an end to the beer tie for large pub ing happy hours and irresponsible promo- groups. Enterprise licensee and Fair Pint tions and glass bans of large city bars. group member Mike Bell has called for Adnams has launched a car- lower rents for struggling pubs and an end bon-neutral cask beer, East to pub groups forcing licensees to pay Green. The beer is brewed in ‘twice as much for their beer as it would Adnams’ new energy efficient cost if we could go directly to the brewery.’ brewery and the use of Suffolk CAMRA has expressed concern over Fair barley also reduces the beer’s Pint’s bid to end the tie because of the environmental footprint. likelihood of soaring rents if the tie were banned. But CAMRA supports Fair Pint’s Marks and Spencer has extended its call for a government enquiry into the range of own label bottled real ales. St power of the large pub companies. Austell Cornish IPA is the latest addition, and others include Woodforde’s Norfolk Carlsberg will now distribute Russia’s best Bitter, Vale Buckinghamshire Ale, Cropton selling beer brand Baltika in the UK, along Yorkshire Bitter and Black Isle Organic with Grimbergen and Mythos acquired in Scottish Ale. the joint takeover of Scottish and Newcastle by Carlsberg and Heineken.

8 Contact the editor: [email protected], (01480) 355893 LONDON HERITAGE PUBS New book making something of their heritage and celebrates 150 of offering value within the community. London's most There's been so much drastic change to unspoilt pubs our traditional pubs in recent decades it's important to preserve what we have left. CAMRA, the The pubs in this book are all part of our Campaign for national heritage and a great unique Real Ale, will British institution. Enjoy!' today launch the definitive guide to It may be a tall order for pub lovers to visit London's most all 150 pubs but the authors have unspoilt historic therefore highlighted the following ‘Ten Princess Louise, pubs - London pubs not to miss': Holborn Heritage Pubs - • Princess Louise, Holborn An Inside Story. Despite CAMRA's recent research • Cittie of Yorke, Holborn showing 57 pubs close every month, • Red Lion, St James's London Heritage Pubs - An Inside Story features 150 of the oldest, most • Black Friar, Blackfriars distinctive, and renowned pubs in the • Eastbrook, Dagenham capital that are still thriving today. • Forester, Ealing To accommodate the far-reaching locations of the public houses, the book is • Salisbury, Harringay divided into seven sections reflecting Greater London postal districts. While • Prince Alfred, Maida Vale explaining the historical context and layout • Falcon, Battersea of each individual pub, the book also raises issues surrounding the • Olde Cheshire Cheese, Holborn sustainability of the public house, and its London Heritage Pubs - An Inside Story changing face in the twenty-first century. can be bought in all good book shops or There are also features about the ordered online at www.camra.org.uk/shop. evolution of London pubs, what's Priced £14.99 (£12.99 for CAMRA distinctive about them, historic brewing in Members) the capital and London beer styles. The book is a product of over seven year's research by co-authors Geoff Brandwood and Jane Jephcote. Geoff Brandwood said, ‘With all the bad press surrounding pub closures and the increase on beer tax, we do still have many marvellous, genuine historic pubs in the capital and it's great to see them Cittie of Yorke, Holborn OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 9 PUB PIECES Opening Times has unspoilt historic inte- received a report riors. A photograph that the lease of the of the pub dated Crown at Broughton 1901 has shown that has been taken over changes in certain by chef David parts of the pub Anderson. New menus have been since then have been minimal. The White introduced and on the real ale front, Horse is a Adnams Bitter has replaced Greene King historic pub, IPA. formerly a coaching inn The Three on the Great Horseshoes at North Road. Abbots Ripton has These inven- new licensees, tories are Ronan and Jane drawn up by CAMRA to protect and draw McLister who have attention to pub that are moved from a well-known Greene King most worth visiting, pub in Cambridge, the Fort St George in cherishing and protect- England. The Three Horseshoes now ing for their historic pub offers four cask beers and four imported interiors. A National draught beers. Inventory lists the most In Hemingford Grey, important ones that the Cock has have seen the least dropped Elgoods change, in particular Black Dog from its those that have remained much as they real ale offerings. were since the Second World War. Cam- Hopefully it will bridgeshire’s only entry on the national reappear after the summer as previously. inventory is the Hand and Heart in Meanwhile the Cock’s annual real ale Highbury Street, Peterborough. festival in the garden over the August It has been reported that changes of bank holiday weekend is keenly licensee are expected at Tilbrook White anticipated. There will be 25 beers, 3 Horse and in Hartford at the King of the bands and a barbeque. Belgians, the subject a few years ago of a The Saddle in Kimbolton has replaced community campaign to prevent closure Greene King IPA by a changing real ale and conversion to housing. from the Marstons portfolio, which now At Gamlingay, the Wheatsheaf has new includes Hobgoblin and Brakspears as tenants and has undergone a minor well as Ringwood, Jennings, Banks’s and refurbishment. Mansfield. Churchill Taverns have sold the Lion in The White Horse in Eaton Socon is under Buckden, along with a number of other consideration for entry in CAMRA’s East pubs, to the Clear Pub Company. Anglia inventory of pubs with outstanding,

10 Support your local pub - don't give them an excuse to close it! CAMBRIDGE CHOP HOUSE I had lunch at the tive and Cambridge Chop friendly, and House, opposite joint owner Kings College in Richard Brad- Central Cambridge, ley came over in May. This is the to welcome latest venture from us. the Cambscuisine Our two course lunch with beer and coffee partnership which owns and runs the for two cost £39, plus discretionary tip. Cock at Hemingford Grey and the Boat- The fixed price pre-theatre dinner from 6 – house in Ely, based on a formula of excel- 7.30 p.m. offers two courses for £11 or lent food, friendly service and well kept three courses for £15. The Chop House local real ales. is a really useful addition to the Cam- The Chop House looks small at street bridge eating scene, true to the excellent level, but the basement is a spacious, light tradition established by the Cock. and airy eating space able to seat eighty The Cambridge Chop House is in Kings covers. The suet pudding and lemon pos- Parade, tel. 01223 359506, set were each extremely good, and the www.cambscuisine.com/chophouse. Milton Pegasus was up to the Cock’s excellent standard. The service was atten- Anthony Stanton

THE SWAN Main Street, Old Weston Tel: 01832 293400 REAL ALES and REAL FOOD

Adnams Southwold Bitter Adnams Broadside Greene King Abbot + Guests Hunts CAMRA Pub of the Year 2004 Fish & Chips Wednesday Evening Restaurant open Friday & Saturday evenings & Sunday lunchtimes

OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 11 30th BOOZE ON THE OUSE OPENING TIMES will be available from the real ale bar for Thursday 6pm–10.45pm the designated driver of your party. Friday 5pm–10.45pm CHILDREN AT THE FESTIVAL Saturday All day; 12 noon–10.45pm. Whilst lunchtime is the ideal time to bring Entry Including Programme: the family to the festival, we do allow Thursday - £1 6-7pm; £2 after 7pm children into the hall up to 8pm in the Friday - £1 5-7pm; £2 after 7pm evening. Saturday - £1 12noon-10.30pm. CAMRA PRODUCTS STAND Happy Hour Come along and chat to our staff and Thursday 6-7pm & Friday 5-7pm: learn about CAMRA, beer brewing and Entrance £1 & reduced price draught pubs. CAMRA and brewery products will beer. be on sale, including sweatshirts, t-Shirts Families welcome until 9pm. and polo shirts, as well as books, pens, Please Note: No entry or re-admission badges and beer mats. Adjacent will be after 10.30pm. the fabulous 'Every One's A Winner' Free entry to CAMRA Members at all tombola stall. sessions - A good reason to join CAMRA! OTHER DETAILS BEERS THE WORKERS REAL ALES The Festival is We hope to serve over the course of the organised and festival around 55 real ales from all over run by the UK, both from the well-established members of independent breweries and the newer, CAMRA who smaller micro-breweries. are all unpaid FOREIGN BEER volunteers. We always need more helpers The popular Foreign Beer bar will be so join at the festival's CAMRA stand. selling a range of Belgian, Dutch, STAFF NEEDED German, and Czech bottled beers The Festival always needs more staff, so including examples of the most distinctive if you can help at any session please individualistic beer styles in the world, contact Andy Shaw (see below). such as Trappist, lambic and wheat beers. CONTACT NUMBER CIDER AND PERRY Festival Organiser, Newsletter & Festival The traditional cider bar will be serving a Programme Editor, Andy Shaw - 01480 selection of tasty traditional cider & perry. 355893 - [email protected]. FEATURES Also visit our Web Site for updates VENUE www.huntscamra.org.uk/festivals The festival is being held at the Burgess ADVERTISERS Hall, in the St Ivo Centre, Westwood A 32-page programme will be produced Road, close to the centre of St Ives. for the festival. Advertising at competitive FOOD AND DRINK rates. Reach 3,000+ beer drinkers. A variety of hot and cold food will be Contact the Programme Editor for more available at all sessions. Free soft drinks information.

12 Updates to beer festival details - www.huntscamra.org.uk/festivals ST IVES BEER FESTIVAL PROVISIONAL REAL BEER LIST MILDS Moggy • Holts Mild • White Horse Village Idiot • Rudgate Ruby Mild • Wylam Gold Tankard • Son of Sid Muckcart • York Stonewall Mild OLD ALES/STRONG • St Austell Black Prince MILDS BEST BITTERS • Hambleton (Village • B&T Dragonslayer Brewer) Old Raby • Cairngorm Nessie's • Wentworth Black Zac Monster Mash STOUTS/PORTERS • Digfield Shacklebush • Cambridge Moonshine • Greene King Bonkers Blackhole Stout Conhers • Hopshackle Porter • Nobby's Wild West • Wickwar Station Porter • Son of Sid Best Bitter BARLEY WINE • Taylors Landlord • Lees Moonraker • Tring Jack O'Legs SPECIALITY BEERS • Ufford New Model Ale • Fat Cat Honey Cat • Wye Valley HPA • Nethergate Umbel STRONG BITTERS Magna • Elgoods Greyhound • Salopian Lemon Dream Strong Bitter • St Peters Grapefruit • Grain Tamarind IPA • Tipples Ginger • Grainstore 1050 •TSA Scotch Mist Wheat • Phoenix Wobbly Bob Beer GOLDEN ALES • Goffs White Knight • Great Oakley Tailshaker • Hawkshead Lakeland Gold Thursday 11th – • Hopback Summerlightning Saturday 13th • Lancaster Blonde • Loddon Ferrymans September 2008 Gold • Milton Sparta Burgess Hall, St Ivo Centre, • Oulton Sunrise • Pictish Alchemists Ale Westwood Road, St Ives • Potbelly Streaky • Potton Gold 55+ REAL ALES • Purity Pure Gold (over the duration of the Festival) • RCH Pitchfork • Skinners Cornish Plus Cider and Bottled Knocker • Teignworthy Old Foreign Beer OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 13 PUBS OF THE YEAR Huntingdonshire’s Pub of the viewed from the lounge. It brews for the Year, the Chequers at Little pub and occasional beer festivals. Gransden, has been de- clared Cambridgeshire Pub The Chequers is now offering up to four of The Year 2008 by CAMRA home-brewed real ales. A popular regular and will now enter regional brew has been the roasty and stout-like and possibly national stages Muck Cart Mild (3.5% alcohol by volume) of the Pub of the Year 2009 competition. and others have been brewed to celebrate The national winner will be announced special occasions for some of the locals. during CAMRA’s Community Pubs Week Mad Cat, Pidley—Huntingdonshire in February 2009. The 2008 national ‘Most Improved Pub of the Year’ CAMRA Pub of the Year is the Old Spot Inn at Dursley in Gloucestershire. The Mad Cat at Pidley was taken over last summer by Darren Tomkins and Sinead Huntingdonshire CAMRA chose two pubs Nicholson. They redecorated the pub and for awards this year because the total introduced new food menus with locally scores in the judging were very close for sourced ingredients and a range of local the top two. The Chequers was named as real ales on rotation that quickly began to ‘Pub of the Year’ and the Mad Cat at achieve recognition by local beer enthusi- Pidley ‘Most Improved Pub of the Year’. asts for their consistent high quality on Chequers, Little Gransden— dispense. This is one big reason why the pub is thriving under its new ownership. Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year The Chequers is a true village local run by the same family for the last 58 years. There are three distinct drinking areas. The unspoilt middle bar, with its wooden bench seating and roaring fire, is a favourite spot to pick up on the local gossip.

The Mad Cat is a community local on the edge of the fens in a village that is the home of the Pidley Mountain Rescue Team, a charity supporting local disabled people. A sociable bar has a welcoming open fire, crib and dominoes. A separate dining room is popular with villagers and visitors, especially for the Sunday lunch carvery. There is a large garden with a decked patio.

Bob and Wendy Mitchell have owned and CAMRA gives these annual awards to run the pub for 16 years and Bobs’ late pubs with the widest appeal for good beer, father, Sid, ran it before him for 42 years. atmosphere, style, service and value. The The new 'Son of Sid' brewhouse can be Chequers and the Mad Cat excel in all these criteria.

14 Updates to beer festival details - www.huntscamra.org.uk/festivals

THE CHEQUERS 71 Main Road, Little Gransden Tel: 01767 677348 HUNTS CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008

Bob and Wendy Mitchell invite you to try their unique unspoilt village local with its own special atmosphere Different Real Ale each week The Mad Cat

2 real ales from local breweries, constantly changing. Food available daily. Traditional home cooked pub food. Mon-Sat 12-2.30; 6-9, Sunday carvery 12-4 & 6-9. Monday lunch specials including main course and desert £4.50. Large Patio and beer garden. Thanks to all who attend the beer festival, which was a great success.

High Street, Pidley, PE28 3BX Telephone: 01487 842245, www.madcatinn.co.uk OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 15 HUNTS CIDER PACKS A PUNCH On the heels of the When Tony took over the orchard it was opening of Son of abandoned and destined to become just a Sid, the first brewery sanctuary for birds and other wild life. in our area for over Plum growing had to be abandoned, but 20 years, comes the saviour of the orchard came in the shape of an old friend who, having retired, news of a Hunting- expressed a wish to sell apples at local donshire cider maker forging small but car boot sales. Freshly picked apples are significant inroads in the local pub trade. something most people have not experi- Cromwell Cider is made from the produce enced and sales rocketed. of a five-acre orchard between Hilton and But the demand is only for the best quality Fenstanton and sales of the draught cider apples, so the remainder of last year’s have been taking off in local pubs includ- crop was made into apple juice and cider. ing the Oliver Cromwell in St Ives, the This year’s crop looks like being a bumper Cock, Hemingford Grey and the Prince of harvest and all will be made into cider Wales Feathers at Castor. apart from a few apples sold for eating. A second press and more barrels for fer- The cider is made in the traditional East mentation have been ordered. Anglian way with a blend of dessert and Three ciders are currently available. Bramley apples, unlike West Country ci- Oliver’s Choice is a medium dry cider and ders made with cider apple varieties. But a favourite of most who taste it. Oliver’s Tony Hobbs, who makes Cromwell Cider, Last Gasp is the unsweetened product - says that although this creates a lighter the driest of ciders that will take your and gentler drink it still packs a punch. breath away. Pink Lady is a marriage of the cider and a secret red fruit to create a When Tony’s grandfather retired from the very popular pinkish bittersweet cider. army after World War One, it was his dream to become the county’s major sup- There is more information about Cromwell Cider at cromwellcider.co.uk plier of honey. Whilst transporting a newly begot swarm from Hilton to his home in Fenstanton, the bees escaped, forcing Grandfather to beat a hasty retreat and leave pony and trap with bees in an abandoned orchard. Dreams rarely come to fruition but after three generations Tony is the proud owner of 26 stocks of bees and the orchard. Much of the local area was traditionally a fruit growing area and Tony’s grandfather and father did well selling apples and plums. With the advent of cheap foreign fruit and supermarkets, however, the days of home grown fruit declined and most local orchards have given way to wheat, barley, and oil seed rape.

16 Find local pub music and other events www.huntscamra.org.uk/gigs A traditional old country pub and restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Traditional Sunday Lunch. Children’s menu available. Open all day Saturday and Sunday. 4 real cask ales served including Adnams Bitter, Fullers London Pride plus 2 guest ales. Bar Meals are available every day. A la carte menu is served in our restaurant Monday to Saturday. The menu caters for all tastes including vegetarian and any special dietary needs. The Pig and Abbot High Street, Abington Pigotts, Nr. Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 0SD Telephone: 01763 853515

Manor House Hotel A traditional old country pub Serving Greene King IPA Plus two other ever changing Real Ales. 130 different Guest Ales over the last year. Full bar snack and restaurant menu. Plus now serving “A new Black Rock menu” Come and cook your own meat or fish on the Hot Rock 20 Chapel Street Alconbury, Cambs, PE28 4DY Telephone: 01480 890423

OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 17 HUNTS FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL An exciting calendar of food and drink quality of local food and drink on offer. events takes place across the Hunting- Huntingdonshire CAMRA will be an ex- donshire district this September. hibitor alongside local brewers. Judging of a ‘Best Sandwich in Huntingdonshire’ The second Huntingdonshire Food and competition and a ‘Ready -Steady-Cook’ Drink Festival runs from 25 to 29 Septem- event will also take place during the day. ber and aims to showcase the array of top quality produce and local suppliers within During the festival week there will be spe- the district and encourage people to think cial menus at participating restaurants, the local and reduce their food miles to help hunt for the best sandwich in Huntingdon- the environment. shire, a Young chef’s competition at Saxongate in Huntingdon and much The festival includes the Huntingdonshire more. 2008 Food and Drink Awards, run by the Hunts Post in association with Hunting- There are five categories in the Hunting- donshire District Council. This includes a donshire Food and Drink Awards – Pub of the Year Award sponsored by Restaurant of the Year, Pub of the Year Huntingdonshire CAMRA. and the best breakfast, food producer and independent retailer in the area. For the A food and drink exhibition at Wood Pub of the Year award, judges will be Green Animal Shelter on Sunday 28 Sep- looking for high quality beer, wine, other tember will showcase local producers, drinks and food, with an emphasis on lo- suppliers and retailers, demonstrating the cal produce, as well as firm focus on the local community. Nominations include the Bell, Stilton; Cock, Hemingford Grey; Crown, Broughton; George, Buckden; Green Man, Leighton Bromswold; Mad Cat, Pidley; Oliver Cromwell, St Ives; To find out about live music Pheasant, Keyston; Rivermill, Eaton So- con; Three Horseshoes, Wistow and the events in Huntingdonshire and White Horse, Tilbrook. Representatives of surrounding areas go to six pubs selected for final judging will be www.huntscamra.org.uk/gigs. present at a gala award ceremony at the Burgess Hall in St Ives along with finalists To subscribe to our weekly in the other categories. newsletter send an email to: The festival is managed by Huntingdon- camragol- shire District Council and sponsored by [email protected] Anglian Water, Tesco, Waitrose, The Hun- tingdon Marriott, The Hunts Post and The To submit an event to the Old Bridge. For more information about guide, send the details to: the festival visit [email protected] www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ or foodanddrinkfestival (01480) 477118 18 Booze on the Ouse - www.huntscamra.org.uk/festival for more details THE BRIDGE HOUSE A charming 16th century riverside bar & restaurant, where you can enjoy picturesque views of the Great Ouse. Recently refurbished we provide the ideal location for many occasions; a simple snack, a special lunch or a romantic evening celebration. Group bookings are also welcome. Conference facilities now available.

• Traditional Bar & Lounge • Snack Menu Available • Al Fresco Riverside Bar & Terrace • 4 Real Ales • Air Conditioned Restaurant • A wide variety of food & drinks available all day THE ONLY RIVERSIDE BAR IN ST NEOTS!! Market Square, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2AP. Telephone: 01480 472044 Email: [email protected], OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 19 20 Join 80,000 members of CAMRA and fight for Britain’s beer heritage THE OLIVER CROMWELL Wellington Street, St. Ives, Cambs. Tel: 01480 465601 Serving six real ales: Adnams Bitter plus regularly changing guest beers No smoking bar

Enjoy a good pint of traditional ale in traditional surroundings. Reasonably priced lunchtime bar snacks available Mon to Sat

Huntingdonshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006

OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 21 EVENTS AND SOCIALS August 2008 Tues 12th Open Committee Meeting, the Anchor, Little Paxton (8.30 pm). Sept 2008 – Booze on the Ouse Beer Festival Mon 1st Pre-festival meeting, at the Oliver Cromwell, St Ives (8.30 pm) for all those helping with the St Ives Beer festival. If you would like to help at the festival, please contact Andy Shaw, on 01480 355893. Thurs 11th to Saturday 13th Booze on the Ouse – St Ives Beer Festival Burgess Hall, St Ivo Centre. Opening Times: Thurs: 6-10.45 pm; Fri 5-10.45 pm; Sat 12- 10.45 pm. FREE ENTRY to CAMRA members. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! Fri 26th Social around St Neots pubs, starting the Woolpack at 8:30 pm, the Globe at 9.00 pm, and finishing at 9.30 pm at the Lord John Russell beer festival. Oct 2008 – New Members’ Social / Apple Day Tues 7th Open Committee Meeting, Manchester Arms, St Ives (8.30 pm). Fri 17th New members’ social, at Oliver Cromwell, St Ives, for members who joined at the St Ives Beer Festival. A FREE PINT for new members and all those who helped at the Booze on the Ouse festival. Sun 19th Apple Day can be celebrated by going to the Bromham Apple Festival, Bromham Mill (at western end of Bromham Bridge). Open 11-4.30 pm. Nov 2008 – Music Quiz Tues 11th Open Committee Meeting, Lord John Russell, St Neots (8.30 pm). Tues 25th Music Quiz, Market Inn, Huntingdon. Whether you know a lot about music or just wish to come along for a good evening’s entertainment, the quiz will last about 1½ hrs with plenty of time for beer. (Quiz Start 8.00 pm) For further information contact Pete Godfrey, Social Secretary, on 01480 212849 or e- mail: [email protected]. An up to date listing of Social Events can also be found at the web site: www.huntscamra.org.uk/diary. WHO TO CONTACT Chairman: Keith Lawson, 01480 352632 (h), [email protected] (h), 8 Peate Close, Godmanchester, Hun- Pubs Info: Roy Endersby, (01480) tingdon, Cambs, PE29 2DX. 473364, [email protected] Secretary, Press & Publicity: Paul Campaigning: Kathy Hadfield- Moorhouse, (01480) 496247 (h) Moorhouse, (01480) 496247 (h). Treasurer: Graham Mulchinock, (01480) Newsletter Editor: Andy Shaw, 01480 474472 (h), [email protected] 355893 (h), 07802 485449 (m), Membership: Margaret Eames, (01480) [email protected], 13a 385333 (h) Peppercorns Lane, Eaton Socon, St Socials: Pete Godfrey, (01480) 212849 Neots, PE19 8HL.

22 Updates to Branch Diary - www.huntscamra.org.uk/diary TRADING STANDARDS OPENING TIMES

Your local Trading Standards organisation Opening Times is published by the is Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA, the Standards. If you have any complaints Campaign for Real Ale (Copyright 2008) about trading standards issues at local All rights reserved. pubs please contact them. Views or comments expressed in this They have a role to protect consumers publication may not necessarily be those from errors or frauds concerned with of the Editor or of CAMRA. quality, description or price of goods, To contact the Editor Andy Shaw, see services or facilities and to detect and “Who to Contact” opposite. rectify unfair advertising practices. To Advertise Contact Cambridgeshire Trading To place an advert or enquire about our Standards helpdesk on 08454 040 506, rates please contact: or at Trading Standards Division, Sackville Neil Richards: 01536 358670 or House, Sackville Way, Great Cambourne, [email protected] Cambridgeshire, CB3 6HD. The local trading standards web site is Deadline for Winter 2008 issue (137) is www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/ Friday 17th October 2008. trading/. The national trading standards web site is www.tradingstandards.gov.uk.

The Three Horseshoes Abbots Ripton Village pub with fine dining and quality ensuite rooms Greene King IPA and three constantly changing guest beers, including Oakham Ales, plus Westons Old Scrumpy Cider

Opening Times Modern British cuisine using sea- Monday - Saturday Food service sonal and locally sourced ingredients 11.30am - 3pm 12pm - 2.30pm 6pm - 11pm 6pm - 9.30pm Accommodation—5 rooms with 4 Sunday Food service star AA rating 12pm - 5pm 12pm - 3pm Moat Lane, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, PE28 2PA — (01487) 773440 Email: [email protected] www.thethreehorseshoes.com

OPENING TIMES 136 AUTUMN 2008 23 The Crown Inn Broughton EATING & DRINKING HOUSE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Chef Patron David Anderson welcomes you to the Crown Inn.

Seasonal Mediterranean and British Cuisine A choice of interesting, value for money wines Real ales include Adnams Bitter and guest beers Wednesday to Saturday à la carte and light lunch menus. Sunday - Sunday lunch and a light lunch. Opening Hours Closed all day Monday and Tuesday (except Bank Holidays): Bar—Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 - 3:30; 6:30 - 11:00 & Sunday 11:30 - 6:00 Lunch—Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 - 2:30 & Sunday 2:30 - 5:30 (light menu) Dinner—Wednesday to Saturday 7:00 - 10:00 Large garden hosts events May to Septem- ber including jazz bands, hog roasts and BBQ's with music The Crown, Bridge Road, Broughton, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 3AY Tel: 01487 824428 www.thecrownbroughton.co.uk